Tebay Services has just been named the best motorway service station in England… and quite rightly so, if you ask us.
But the thing is, it’s not quite for the reason you’d expect.
Most of us will spend a good chunk of time at motorway service stations throughout our lives, whether we like it or not, but it’s fair to say that the majority of them aren’t much to write home about, and if anything, tend to be slagged off rather than given glowing reviews.
Tebay Services, on the other hand, is a massive exception to that.
Tebay Services has been named the best in the country / Credit: Tebay Services
The little slice of motorway services heaven – which is just off the M6 in Cumbria – is so much more than your average service station.
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A classic halfway stop-off for Mancs heading up north, the family-run Tebay is pretty much iconic at this point, and is known and loved for its lakeside setting and rural surroundings, stunning spacious interior with vaulted ceilings, the wealth of cafes and restaurants serving up dishes home-cooked on site, and its farm shop selling all sorts of local produce.
The Cumbrian gem is regularly – and if you’ve ever been, you’ll know, unsurprisingly – named among the best in the UK, but does tend to miss out on the top spot to its sister site, Gloucester Services, off the M5 in Cheltenham.
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The Cumbrian gem off the M6 has taken the top spot in a new ranking / Credit: Tebay Services
But a ranking by Cinch using data collated from recent reviews has now seen the original family-run services given the number one honour it truly deserves.
However, though, it’s not quite for the reasons you’d expect of a motorway services, as it’s actually scored highly for its wide range of ‘downtime’ options, rather than for being somewhere to grab a quick bite to eat and nip to the loo.
The data showed that families travelling across the country love to take the time to unwind at Tebay while taking in the fresh country air and stretching their legs in the spacious surroundings – with the famous farm shop, duck pond, children’s play area, and outdoor dining terrace are all listed as a big reason for its 4.5/5 Google rating (from 18,200 reviews).
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The beloved service station has scored top marks for its range of ‘downtime’ options / Credit: Tebay Services
Explaining why Tebay has taken the top spot in its 2023 ranking, Cinch wrote: “If you’re planning to stop off for a break and you’re craving an environment that offers something with a bit more pizzazz, you need to visit Tebay services.
“It’s arguably the UK’s most famous service station, which says a lot.
“Visit this family-owned site in the scenic part of the M6 and make use of beautiful views, a farm shop, a duck pond and even a barbecue shed (depending on the season).
“Sitting for too long in the car can be a major cause of fatigue, so take the opportunity to stimulate your mind and body by visiting a service station that promises more than just a big car park and a bit of grub.”
Featured Image – Tebay Services
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Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Sean Dyche sends the five of us on a mission in our new single What Can I Say (After I’m Sorry) out Wednesday 1st May ⏰ pic.twitter.com/WcDdfgAD1m
Sean Dyche stars as the boss in the music video for Blossoms’ latest single, ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?’ As you do.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
So, Erling Haaland is now a character in Clash of Clans… 👀
Bit random, we know, but it's a funny little trailer. 😅
Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
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KFC have launched their own perfume – oh, and a new burger
Danny Jones
Fast food giants KFC have launched their very own perfume in one of the weirdest marketing stunts we’ve seen in a long while.
That being said, we definitely want a bottle.
KFC‘s fried chicken-themed fragrance launches next month and is fashionably named ‘No 11 Eau de BBQ’, a nod to their newest menu item, the Ultimate BBQ Burger, which we also want in our possession as soon as humanly possible.
The franchise’s new signature scent launches in just a week’s time and, yes, you can genuinely buy it along with the new burger for a limited time only.
Again, this is a real thing you can pay actual money for. (Credit: KFC UKI)
The UK-only release actually sold out when it came to pre-orders but Brits will be able to get their hands on another batch when the second lot drops on 7 May.
Promising a charcoal and smoky wood-scented aroma that immediately transports you to your mate’s back garden as he turns cheap burger patties into overly blackened dry pucks of meat that you definitely would’ve cooked better if you were in charge, the stunt is also helping raise money for non-profits.
Available in 100ml bottles and for just £11, 100% of the proceeds of every sale will go towards the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations empowering young people to unleash their potential and build a positive future in local communities across the country.
As for the burger that inspired it, the special edition menu item is a nod to BBQ season gradually approaching and they’ve even made a nod to our famously reliable British weather and its attempts to derail the art of outdoor grilling in a new advert.
KFC perfume and a new burger? Christmas has come well early this year.
The Ultimate BBQ Burger has already launched and will be on the menu until 9 June, priced at £6.49 or £9.99 for a box meal which comes with the burger, a regular mini fillet, regular fries, BBQ sauce and a drink.
And don’t worry, it’ll be available on delivery too — we know we’ve had problems with that when it comes to specials in the past.
As KFC’s No 11 Eau de BBQ perfume, you can wait in the online queue like everyone else HERE and let’s just say you’ll be fighting us and plenty of other Mancs for every last drop.
Emily Sergeant -
25th August 2023 
